Atlanta native Taylor Heinicke never considered attending Georgia Southern, never even wanted to come to Statesboro and see a football game.

“They always ran the triple option, and it didn’t catch my interest in watching the triple option as a quarterback so I never went down there,” said Heinicke, who starred at Collins Hill.

Now Heinicke’s main focus is on beating Georgia Southern. The sophomore quarterback will lead fourth-seeded Old Dominion into Saturday’s FCS quarterfinal matchup with the fifth-seeded Eagles at Ballard Stadium.

Kickoff is set for noon. The game will be televised nationally by ESPN.

Heinicke is the show stopper for the 11-1 Monarchs. He’s one of three finalists for the Walter Payton Award, symbolic of the top player in the FCS.

Heinicke has thrown for 4,655 yards with 41 touchdowns and just 13 interceptions. He’s also run for 422 yards and 10 TDs.

Saturday, he’ll more than likely break Steve McNair’s FCS single-season record of 4,863 passing yards set in 1994.

Heinicke’s highlight game — and there have been many — came when he threw for 730 yards and five touchdowns in a 64-61 victory over New Hampshire on Sept. 22.

“He’s surely the player our team looks at and feels like no matter what the score, we’re going to win the game because he’s our quarterback,” ODU coach Bobby Wilder said.

The Monarchs trailed 47-24 in the third quarter before Heinicke directed a comeback. His passing yardage broke the Division I single-game mark of 716 set by Houston’s David Klinger against Arizona State in 1990.

It was just one yard short of the all-division record of 731 set by Zamir Amin of Division III Menlo against Cal Lutheran in 2000.

Heinicke’s single-season in passing yards per game (387.9) is third all-time in the FCS behind McNair (442.1) and Mississippi Valley State’s Willie Totten (455.7). Totten’s favorite receiver was a recognizable name — Jerry Rice.

Heinicke, who plays in a spread offense, says he tries not to think about records, but sometimes he can’t help himself.

“It sits back there in the back of my mind and it’s pretty cool to be mentioned with those kind of names,” Heinicke said. “I try to let it sink in for a little bit, but there’s no time for that. It’s time for Georgia Southern.”

Heinicke couldn’t help but think a little bit about Georgia Southern while in high school. Former Eagle linebacker David Willingham was a Collins Hill assistant coach and made a soft sales pitch.

GSU recruiters signed one of Heinicke’s best friends, Jake Banta, now the Eagles’ long snapper.

“(GSU recruiters) shook my hand and said nice to meet you, but you’re a passer, we’re looking more for a running quarterback,” Heinicke said.

It worked out best for all parties. How could the Eagles have kept Heinicke happy? GSU quarterbacks have thrown 76 passes this season. He threw 79 times against New Hampshire.

Last season, Heinicke finally came to Paulson Stadium. He broke into the Monarchs’ starting lineup at midseason and threw for 341 yards and five touchdowns in a memorable playoff game between Georgia Southern and Old Dominion. He also ran for 75 yards.

But GSU’s triple option won, 55-48.

Heinicke now enters with more experience. And he’s thinking about the Eagles.

“Last year, it was a great game,” he said. “It came down to an onside kick that we recovered but a half yard short. Hopefully, it goes better this year.”